•to
THE B.H.P. AERO ENGINETHE Royal Commission on Awards to Inventors, under
the chairmanship of Mr. Justice Sargant, on January '31considered the claims of Lord-Invernairn (formerly Sir William
Beardmore) and others in respect of the B.H.P. aero engine.Outlining the case for the claimants, Mr. Hogg explained
that in 1915 there was an urgent necessity in the field for anaero engine of higher power, the Germans having gone ahead
in this respect. In 1916 Major Halford visited the Beardmoreworks, and as the result of conferences and conversations
between Sir William Beafdmore, Major Halford, and Mr.Pullinger, an engine was designed. The capital was supplied
for the manufacture of the engines by Sir William Beardmoreand Mr. Pullinger. Mr. Hogg said his clients were now con-
fronted for the first time by the defence of the Crown that theywere not entitled to anything because it was designed by Major
Halford. In regard to their submission that alterationswere made to the engine, it was perfectly true that modifi-
cations were made, but such modifications were only madeto facilitate rapidity of maufacture. " It would have been
impossible," said Mr. Hogg, " to have manufactured the otherengines without the original design of the B.H.P." Mr.
Hogg explained that the claimants' losses on their capitalaccount through these engines was before another commission,
and intimated that the Beardmore Company, in connectionwith the development of these B.H.P. aero engines, incurred
an expenditure of £123,000, of which amount £47,000 repre-sented their loss. He read a letter in which this amount
was communicated to the Government, and added that,although there was a vast number of letters remaining he
did not propose reading them, "Asa method of procedurein Government offices they are interesting," he went on,
" but so far as this claim is concerned I might just as wellread to you, shall I say, the Book of Job." Mr. Hogg then,
amid much amusement, read a letter which showed how Mr.Pullinger was referred to six Government officials, one of whom
replied to Mr. Pullinger's enquiries that he " did not knowanything about the animal."
Lord Invernairn Jjore out Mr. Hogg's statements, and saidthat other manufacturers were allowed to make the engine
on the assurance of the Government that his claim would notbe prejudiced.
Major Halford said that he discussed the question of ahigher power engine with Mr. Pullinger -on January 22,
and before the day ended they had something on paper. To-gether they discussed the engine as points arose until they
secured what they were out for.
The Commission then adjourned. "
INITIATIVE is being shown by the Shell-Mex Companyplacing signs at the foot and on the summit of famous hills
throughout the country. The signs are both neat and U9*?ful,the one at the foot of the hill indicating to the motorist the
ascent and the one at the summit mentioning the altitudeabove sea level. The former indicates that a steep gradient
OF QUALITY-
SHELL SPIRIT
5 - - »is before the motorist, and he therefore drives accordingly,
"while the latter gives him a useful idea of the hill-climbing-capabilities of his engine. This scheme, initiated by the
proprietors of " Shell " motor spirit, is one which should addconsiderably to the interest of motoring. "'. ' -c'
IN some interesting aviation notes in The Australian Motoristthe other week we found reference to the 25,000 miles flying
on an Avro plane. Therein it is recorded, that withoutexperiencing any engine trouble, Lieut. Roberts has recently
.completed his 25,000 miles' flying in Queensland on an
FEBRUARY 3, 1921
Avro machine, " Clerget" 130 h.p, engine, lubricatedwith that famous British oil, Castrol. During tfiese nights
he carried 1,500 passengers.
IH New South Wales, amongst other aerial activities, theAvro people have been busy on a commercial aviation stunt.
Captain Nigel Love has been piloting the representative ofBerger's paints in a 5,000-mile flight throughout theleading
towns of the State, with fine business results. 'He alsolubricates with " Castrol " ; in fact, it is the oil used exclusively
by the Australian Aircraft and Engineering Co.
THE Second Annual Dinner of the Fairey Aviation Co., LtcL,Social and Athletic Club, together with the presentation of
prizes by Mrs. C. R. Fairey, was held on Friday last at ParkHotel, Hanwell, Mr. C. R. Fairey, the president of the Club,
occupying the chair. A strong contingenT of the. worksassembled, and from the averages obtained throughout
the playing season it was apparent that the employesplay equally as well and thoroughly as they work at Aircraft
construction. It was gratifying to hear from Mr. Faireythat the Fairey Seaplane has been adopted by the Admiralty
and that the Works are well supplied with orders ; one machinehad just recently been delivered to " Grain " making a perfect
flight from Hamble. May this state of affairs long continue.• Several good musical items put everyone present in happy
vein.
m m m m
LEGAL INTELLIGENCE
Re G. J. H. Mackenzie KennedyAT a meeting of the creditors of Mr. Ch'essborough Jame&
Henry Mackenzie Kennedy, aeronautical engineer, heldon January 27 at Bankruptcy Buildings, a statement of
affairs was submitted showing liabilities .£42,324 and assetsvalued at £184,782.
The debtor had stated that he was formally a leadingengineer in Russia, but on the outbreak of war returned to
this country and experimented in the construction of largebombing aeroplanes. For his services he received an award
of £31,000 from the Treasury.He continued his experimental work, and had recently
been engaged in the formation of an air transport schemewhich had the approval of the Air Ministry.
^ His present position, he said, was one of4*niporary em-barrassment only, and his assets would pay all his creditors in
full and leave a substantial surplus.They included a claim of £171,000 against the Air Ministry
in respect of an important invention of his which they hadused.
The meeting was adjourned for the debtor to submit aproposal for payment in full.
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